On Thursday afternoon (Sept. 26), Bontz N, by American Ideal, continued to show that she is a force among the female pacers at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
The eight-year-old New Zealand-bred debuted at ‘the Spa’ with a win in August and immediately vaulted into Open company. Bontz N came into Thursday’s contest with two victories from four starts at the track’s $15,000 feature level. She wound up as the 7-5 top choice in the wagering this time around and started from her assigned outside Post 6.
Billy Dobson piloted the Gary Levine trainee in the Open and powered her out to an easy lead. Over a track labelled ‘good,’ Bontz N cruised unopposed in a soft first half of :58.3, but had two challengers closing in past three quarters in 1:26.3.
Itty Bitty (driven by Jordan Derue) was first-over and got to drop in around the final turn as Come Get The Cash (Jay Randall) closed in from the back of the pack. Bontz N faced a two-pronged challenge in the stretch, but had enough to prevail for the third time in her last four starts in the Open, as she stopped the timer in 1:55.
Come Get The Cash, who has become a force at the Spa as well since debuting in July, finished second to Bontz N to extend her ‘on the board’ streak that has now lasted almost three months. Itty Bitty earned the show spot.
Bontz N paid $4.90 to win and led an exacta and triple that came back $20.20 and $57, respectively. Her win was one of two on the day for her connections, as trainer Gary Levine and leading driver Billy Dobson teamed up for another victory on Thursday with low-level condition mare Baddabingbaddabang.
The Pick Five carryover at Saratoga on Saturday will be the largest it has been in years, as a $10,950 carryover will be there for the taking. The Pick Five begins in the evening’s first race on Saturday, which is set for 6:45pm.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)